By Calin Brown/Ketagalan Media
Yes, racism exists here. Its existence shouldn’t be up for discussion.
The best place to have a discussion about Taiwan’s racial tensions, a taxicab does not make. Like disagreeing with a waitress or your scissor-wielding hairdresser, it takes a severe lack of common sense to have an argument with anyone who’s holding your life in his or her hands. Moreover, having discussions in enclosed spaces – like a small moving vehicle – means there’s absolutely no way to escape from the argument.
Try as I might to fend off the usual questions about my racial identity during a cab ride one night, the driver and I eventually got to the big question. He turned around to look at me as we waited at a red light and asked, “Do you think Taiwan is a racist country?”
My initial response was to say yes, of course it is. Not because Taiwan is extraordinarily reprehensible in regards to racism, but because I believe no country is immune from discriminatory policies and traditions. He was ready with his own response though. “Taiwan isn’t racist because it doesn’t compare to the racism in America.”
The News Lens has been authorized to repost this article. The full piece is published on Ketagalan Media here: Yes, Racism Exists in Taiwan
First Editor: Olivia Yang
Second Editor: Edward White
